KR102423500B1 - Laundry treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus, and more particularly, to a cabinet forming an exterior, a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet to accommodate an object to be treated, and a display unit provided in the cabinet and displaying driving information of the laundry treatment apparatus and a manipulation unit installed in the cabinet and having a plurality of input units, wherein an item for selecting a clothes treatment course based on the number of signals simultaneously input through the plurality of input units, and the clothes treatment course and one of an item for selecting an accompanying menu and an item for setting the menu is activated on the display unit.
According to the present invention, various manipulations of the clothes treatment apparatus are possible by the user inputting signals through the input units provided in the manipulation unit using a finger of one hand, so that the user's convenience in operating the clothes treatment apparatus can be improved. .
In addition, according to the present invention, since there is no need for a separate button or input unit for operating the laundry treatment apparatus other than the operation unit, the appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus can be formed neatly and simply.

Description

Laundry treating apparatus

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus (especially a washing machine), and more particularly, an item for selecting a laundry treatment course based on the number of fingers recognized by a touch panel provided in a manipulation unit of the laundry treatment apparatus, the laundry treatment course The present invention relates to a clothes treatment apparatus in which one of an item for selecting a menu and an item for setting the menu can be activated on a display unit, and a method for controlling the same.

In general, a laundry treatment apparatus includes a washing machine, a dryer, a styler, and the like, and the washing machine may include a drying function.

The washing machine includes a pulsator washing machine in which the drum is erected in a vertical direction (that is, the laundry inlet is disposed on the upper side of the cabinet), and the drum is laid down in the horizontal direction (ie, the laundry inlet is disposed in the front side of the cabinet) It can be broadly classified as a drum washing machine.

Such a laundry treatment apparatus may be driven through manipulation of a manipulation unit provided in a cabinet of the laundry treatment apparatus after an object to be treated and detergent are put into the laundry treatment apparatus.

In order to drive the laundry treatment apparatus, the user must input power to the laundry treatment apparatus through a power button and then select a desired course from among a plurality of courses.

Here, the plurality of courses may include a standard laundry course, a baby clothes course, a boiling course, a speed wash course, a lingerie course, a quilt course, and the like.

In addition, the user may select and/or set specific menus accompanying the selected course.

For example, the menus may include washing intensity, washing water and/or rinsing water temperature, rinsing frequency, spin-drying strength, delay time (ie, reservation time), and the like.

When one or more of the menus need to be set, the user may select a desired menu and set the selected menu to a desired value.

For example, if necessary, the user can select one of strong, normal, and soft in washing intensity, set a numerical value for washing water or rinse water temperature, and set the number of rinses. You can set the dehydration intensity, you can select one of strong, medium, and weak, and you can specifically set the delay time.

In order to select and set the laundry treatment course, menu selection and setting as described above, the user has to press or operate one or more buttons several times. There is a problem.

In addition, when a plurality of buttons for selecting and setting a laundry treatment course, menu, and setting are provided in the laundry treatment apparatus, there is a problem in that the user cannot easily determine the function of each button.

In addition, recent consumers prefer to have a clean and simple appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus.

Accordingly, when the laundry treatment apparatus is provided with a plurality of buttons for selecting and setting a laundry treatment course and menu, the appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus may be complicated and crude.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, so that selection of a clothes treatment course, selection of a menu, and setting are made based on the number of fingers touched by a touch-recognizable input unit, so that the selection of the clothes treatment course and the menu It aims to shorten the time for selection and setting.

Also, according to the present invention, one of a selection of a clothes treatment course, a menu selection, and a specific setting of a menu is performed based on the number of the user's fingers touched on the input unit, so that the user can easily operate the laundry treatment apparatus. It is intended to make

Another object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily operate various functions of the laundry treatment apparatus by allowing various manipulations of the laundry treatment apparatus to be performed by a knob provided outside the cabinet.

Another object of the present invention is to remove an operation button (or an input button) that may be provided outside a cabinet of the laundry treatment apparatus so that the appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus is neat and simple.

The present invention is to achieve the above object, specifically, a cabinet forming an exterior; a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet and accommodating an object to be treated; a display unit provided in the cabinet and displaying driving information of the laundry treatment apparatus; and a manipulation unit installed in the cabinet and having a plurality of input units, wherein an item for selecting a clothes treatment course based on the number of signals simultaneously input through the plurality of input units, and the clothes treatment course Provided is a laundry treatment apparatus in which one of an item for selecting an accompanying menu and an item for setting the menu is activated on the display unit.

In this case, the manipulation unit is provided in the form of a rotatable knob, and selection of a clothes treatment course, menu selection, and menu setting may be performed through rotation of the manipulation unit in a state in which a signal is input to the input units.

In addition, the display unit may be provided separately from the manipulation unit or may be provided on a front surface of the manipulation unit.

In addition, the input units may be formed of a touch panel capable of inputting a touch, and a signal input through the input units may be a signal generated by a touch.

In addition, the manipulation unit may be provided to protrude from the cabinet, and the input units may be provided along a periphery of a side surface of the manipulation unit.

On the other hand, the manipulation unit is provided in a form protruding from the cabinet, and the manipulation unit is provided with a plurality of sensors spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along the periphery of the side of the manipulation unit, When the signal is detected, the power of the laundry treatment apparatus may be turned on.

In this case, the sensor is preferably a piezoelectric sensor for sensing external pressure.

In addition, the plurality of sensors may be provided under the plurality of input units.

In addition, it is preferable that the cross section of the operation unit is circular.

In addition, the input of the signal through the plurality of input units may be made by gripping or touching the circumference of the side of the manipulation unit with one or more fingers of the user.

On the other hand, the present invention relates to a control method of a clothes treatment apparatus, and more particularly, it includes a cabinet forming an exterior, a plurality of touch recognizable input units installed in the cabinet, and a plurality of piezoelectric sensors disposed below the input units A method of controlling a clothes treatment apparatus, comprising: a control unit for controlling the laundry; a display unit for displaying driving information of the laundry treatment apparatus; a display step of turning on the display unit to display driving information of the laundry treatment apparatus on the display unit; a signal input step of inputting a signal through the input unit; a signal number determination step of determining the number of signals input through the plurality of input units; and an activation step in which one of an item for selecting a clothes treatment course, an item for selecting a menu accompanying the clothes treatment course, and an item for setting the menu is activated on the display unit based on the determined number of signals It provides a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus comprising a.

In this case, when four or more signals are input through the input unit in the signal input step, in the activation step, an item for selecting a clothes treatment course may be activated on the display unit.

Also, when there are two signals input through the input unit in the signal input step, an item for selecting the menu may be activated in the activation step.

Also, when there are three signals input through the input unit in the signal input step, an item for setting the menu may be activated in the activation step.

Meanwhile, in the power input step, power may be input to the clothes treatment apparatus by sensing a signal through the piezoelectric sensor.

According to the present invention, the selection of the clothes treatment course, the selection of the menu, and the setting are made based on the number of the user's fingers touched on the touch-recognizable input unit, thereby reducing the time for the selection of the clothes treatment course, menu selection and setting. can be shortened

Also, according to the present invention, one of selection of a clothes treatment course, menu selection, and specific setting of a menu can be performed based on the number of fingers touched by the user on the input unit, so that the user can easily operate the clothes treatment apparatus. have.

In addition, according to the present invention, since various manipulations of the laundry treatment apparatus are performed by a single operation unit (ie, a rotary knob) provided outside the cabinet, it is easy for a user to operate various functions of the laundry treatment apparatus.

Also, according to the present invention, an operation button (or an input button) that may be provided outside the cabinet of the laundry treatment apparatus is removed, so that the appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus may look neat and simple.

1 (a) and (b) show the appearance of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a manipulation unit provided in the laundry treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;
3A to 3C illustrate a state in which the operation unit shown in FIG. 2 is operated by a user.
Figure 4 (a) is a front cross-sectional view of the operation unit shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 (b) is a side cross-sectional view of the operation unit shown in Fig. 2 .
5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a connection relationship between the manipulation unit shown in FIG. 2 and a display unit and a control unit provided in the laundry treatment apparatus.
6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the laundry treatment apparatus that may be further included between the course selection step and the execution step in FIG. 6 .
8 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the laundry treatment apparatus that may be further included between the menu selection step and the execution step in FIG. 6 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the above objects will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The laundry treatment apparatus described below is a concept including a washing machine, a dryer, and a styler, but a washing machine mainly including a drying function will be described.

Meanwhile, the damping structure, water supply structure, and drainage structure that may be provided inside the laundry treatment apparatus are the same as or similar to those of the conventional laundry treatment apparatus. A detailed description of the general structures will be omitted.

1 (a) and (b) show the overall appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B , the laundry treatment apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 100 forming an exterior and a door 200 installed in the cabinet 100 . , a drum 400 that is rotatably installed in the cabinet 100 and accommodates an object to be treated (ie, laundry or an object to be washed).

In addition, a tub (not shown) disposed to surround the drum 400 to accommodate washing water may be further disposed inside the cabinet 10 .

The door 200 may be formed to open and close an opening (not shown) formed in the front of the cabinet 100 . In this case, the opening may be disposed to communicate with the inside of the drum 400 .

For example, at one side of the door 200 in the left and right direction (width direction), a hinge portion (not shown) allowing the door 200 to rotate may be provided extending in the vertical direction of the door 200 . have.

In this case, a handle portion 210 for opening and closing the door 200 with respect to the cabinet 100 may be formed on the other side of the door 200 in the left-right direction (width direction).

Also, the laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a manipulation unit 300 for operating the laundry treatment apparatus and a display unit 310 displaying driving information of the laundry treatment apparatus.

The manipulation unit 300 may be formed in the form of a rotatable rotary knob. In this case, the manipulation unit 300 may be formed to protrude from the front surface of the cabinet 200 .

In addition, the manipulation unit 300 may be provided above the front surface of the cabinet 200 . In this case, the manipulation unit 300 may be provided at a central portion of the cabinet 200 in the width direction.

The user may input power to the laundry treatment apparatus 11 by the manipulation unit 300 . In addition, the user may rotate the manipulation unit 300 to select a desired clothes treatment course, etc., and drive the clothes treatment apparatus.

In this case, the clothes treatment course may include a standard laundry course, a baby clothes course, a boiling course, a speed wash course, a lingerie course, a quilt course, and the like.

Also, it is possible to set the washing intensity in the washing cycle, the number of rinsing in the rinsing cycle, the spin-drying intensity in the spin-drying course, the washing water temperature, and the like through the manipulation unit 300 .

The display unit 310 may be provided on one side of the cabinet 100 . Preferably, the display unit 310 may be provided on the front surface of the manipulation unit 300 (see FIG. 1 (a)).

That is, although the display unit 310 is expressed as being provided on the front surface of the manipulation unit 300 in FIG. 1 , the display unit 310 is provided on the front surface of the cabinet 200 separately from the manipulation unit 300 . It can be (see Fig. 1 (b)).

For example, the display unit 310 may be disposed at an upper portion of the front surface of the cabinet 200 , at a position biased toward one side in the width direction of the cabinet 200 . That is, the display unit 310 may be disposed separately from the manipulation unit 300 .

In addition, in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the operation unit 300 , the display unit 310 , and driving devices of the laundry treatment apparatus (eg, a water supply device, a drainage device, and a drum 400 ) (eg, a water supply device, a drainage device, and a drum 400) It may further include a control unit 500 for controlling the rotation of the motor, etc.).

Meanwhile, the user may select a clothes treatment course, select a menu accompanying the clothes treatment course, and set the menu through the plurality of input units 320 provided in the manipulation unit 300 (FIG. see 2).

Hereinafter, the structure of the manipulation unit 300 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a manipulation unit provided in the laundry treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; Meanwhile, FIG. 2 shows that the display unit 310 is provided on the front surface of the manipulation unit 300 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the manipulation unit 300 in the form of a rotatable knob may include a display unit 310 on the front surface, and a plurality of input units 320 disposed along the periphery of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 . can do.

Information related to driving of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 may be displayed on the display unit 310 .

The information related to the operation of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 may include a plurality of laundry treatment courses, a plurality of menus accompanying the laundry treatment courses, and the like.

The clothes treatment courses may include a standard laundry course, a baby clothes course, a boiling course, a speed wash course, a lingerie course, a quilt course, and the like.

Also, the plurality of menus may include washing intensity in the washing cycle, the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing cycle, spin-drying intensity in the spin-drying course, washing water temperature, and delay time (ie, reservation time).

Meanwhile, the input units 320 may be formed in the form of a touch panel capable of recognizing a touch by a user's finger.

In addition, the input units 320 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals along the circumference of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 .

For example, the width of each of the input units 320 along the circumferential direction of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 may be approximately 1 cm to 1.5 cm, and the distance between each of the input units 320 may be approximately 0.1 cm to approximately 0.1 cm to It can be 0.2 cm.

The arrangement of the input units 320 is when the input units 320 disposed on the periphery of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 are gripped (ie, touched) by the user's finger, when the user's finger is gripped ( That is, this is to allow the controller 500 to recognize the number of input units 320 (touched).

For example, in general, the user will operate the manipulation unit 300 with one hand. In this case, the signal input through the plurality of input units 320 may be performed by the user's finger.

In addition, the user may grip at least some of the input units 310 disposed around the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 using one to five fingers.

At this time, based on the number of signals simultaneously input through the plurality of input units 300 , an item for selecting a clothes treatment course, an item for selecting a menu accompanying the clothes treatment course, and setting the menu One of the items may be activated on the display unit 310 .

The control of the display unit 310 according to the determination of the number of signals input to the input units 300 may be performed through the control unit 500 .

In addition, in a state in which a signal is input to the input units 320 through the user's grip or touch, the user selects one of a clothes treatment course, a menu, and a menu setting through rotation of the manipulation unit 300 . can be performed.

In this case, the signal input through the input units 320 may be a signal generated by the user gripping or touching the input units 320 .

That is, the input units 320 formed by the touch panel may generate a signal by sensing static electricity on a person's body (especially, a finger).

For example, when a signal is input to two, three, or four or more of the plurality of input units 300 , different pieces of information may be activated on the display unit 310 .

The relationship between the signal input to the plurality of input units 300 and the display unit 310 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C .

3A to 3C illustrate a state in which the operation unit shown in FIG. 2 is operated by a user.

First, referring to FIG. 3A , after power is supplied to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 , the user selects a desired laundry treatment course from among a plurality of laundry treatment courses. The input units 320 disposed along the line may be gripped or touched using four or more fingers (eg, all fingers).

In this case, the control unit 500 receives four or more signals from the input units 320 .

In addition, the controller 500 may control the display unit 310 to activate an item for selecting a clothes treatment course for selecting one of the plurality of clothes treatment courses on the display unit 310 .

Here, the activation of the item for selecting the plurality of clothes treatment courses means that the user can select one of the plurality of clothes treatment courses displayed on the display unit 310 by rotating the manipulation unit 300 .

In this case, one of the plurality of clothes treatment courses displayed on the display unit 310 may be selected through rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

For example, the control unit 500 may control the display unit 310 so that neighboring clothes treatment courses among the plurality of clothes treatment courses displayed on the display unit 310 sequentially emit light according to the rotation of the manipulation unit 300 . have.

In this case, in order to select a course desired by the user, the user rotates the manipulation unit 300 until the desired clothes treatment course among the plurality of clothes treatment courses displayed on the display unit 310 emits light, and when the desired course is illuminated, the manipulation unit The rotation of 300 can be stopped.

Of course, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to select a desired clothes treatment course, the user must hold the side circumference of the manipulation unit 300 (ie, the input units 320 ) with four or more fingers. .

That is, the user may rotate the manipulation unit 300 while holding the input units 320 with four or more fingers to select a desired clothes treatment course.

Meanwhile, menus such as washing intensity and rinsing frequency are preset in each of the plurality of clothes treatment courses. In this case, the user can change the settings of the menus through the manipulation of the manipulation unit 300, and refer to FIG. to explain

Referring to FIG. 3B , after power is input to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 or after a desired laundry treatment course is selected through the manipulation of the manipulation unit 300 , the user selects a plurality of clothes treatment courses accompanying the laundry treatment course. You can select the menu you want to set from among the menus.

Here, the plurality of menus may include the washing intensity in the washing cycle, the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing cycle, the spin-drying intensity in the spin-drying course, the washing water temperature and the delay time (ie, the reservation time).

For example, the user may grip or touch the input units 320 disposed along the side circumference of the manipulation unit 300 using two fingers (eg, thumb and index finger).

In this case, the control unit 500 receives two signals from the input units 320 .

In addition, the controller 500 may control the display unit 310 to activate an item for selecting one of a plurality of menus on the display unit 310 .

Here, that the item for menu selection is activated means that the user can select one of a plurality of menus displayed on the display unit 310 by rotating the manipulation unit 300 .

In this case, selection of one of the plurality of menus displayed on the display unit 310 may be made through rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

For example, the control unit 500 may control the display unit 310 to sequentially emit light from neighboring menus among a plurality of menus displayed on the display unit 310 according to the rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

At this time, in order to select a menu that the user wants to set, the user rotates the manipulation unit 300 until a desired menu among a plurality of menus displayed on the display unit 310 is lit, and when the desired nemu is emitted, the manipulation unit 300 ) can be stopped.

Of course, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to select a desired menu, the user must hold the periphery of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 (ie, the input units 320 ) with two fingers.

That is, the user may rotate the manipulation unit 300 while holding the input units 320 with two fingers in order to select a desired menu.

On the other hand, the user uses two fingers to use the input units 320 arranged along the periphery of the side of the manipulation unit 300 to select a menu to be set without selecting the clothes treatment course of the method described in FIG. 3A . (eg, thumb and index finger) may be used to grip or touch.

In this case, the clothes treatment course may be set as a standard course, and a plurality of menus accompanying the standard course may be displayed as preset values on the display unit 310 .

In addition, the user can change the settings of the menus selected through the operation of the operation unit 300 in the manner described with reference to FIG. 3 (b) to change the settings, and below, the menu selected through the operation of the operation unit 300 is displayed. A configuration for changing a setting or an operation method of the operation unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 3C .

Referring to FIG. 3C , after a menu desired to be set is selected through manipulation of the manipulation unit 300 in the manner described in FIG. 3B , the user may change the setting of the selected menu.

For example, the user may grip or touch the input units 320 disposed along the side circumference of the manipulation unit 300 using three fingers (eg, thumb, index finger, and middle finger).

In this case, the control unit 500 receives three signals from the input units 320 .

In addition, the controller 500 may control the display unit 310 to activate an item for setting a menu selected in the manner shown in FIG. 3B .

Here, the activation of the item for setting the menu means that the user can change the setting of the menu displayed on the display unit 310 by rotating the manipulation unit 300 .

That is, after one menu is selected in the manner described in (b) of FIG. 3 , the user rotates the manipulation unit 300 while holding or touching the input units 320 using three fingers to select the selected menu item. You can change the setting value of the menu.

In other words, preset values according to the clothes treatment course selected by the user may be displayed on the plurality of menus, and these set values may be changed by the manipulation of the manipulation unit 300 by the user.

Of course, even in this case, if a menu is selected in the manner shown in FIG. 3 (b) in a state where there is no course selection by the user, preset setting values according to the standard course may be displayed in the selected menu. have.

In this case, the change of the set value of the menu displayed on the display unit 310 may be performed through the rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

For example, the control unit 500 may control the display unit 310 to change a set value of a menu displayed on the display unit 310 according to the rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

For example, the set value of the menu may be one of strong, medium and weak in terms of washing intensity, a specific temperature in terms of wash water or rinsing water temperature, and a specific rinse cycle in terms of the number of rinses. It can be the number of times, it can be one of strong, medium, and weak in dewatering intensity, and it can be a specific time to complete the laundry treatment in terms of delay time (reservation time).

In this case, in order for the user to change the set value of the menu, the user may rotate the manipulation unit 300 until the set value of the menu displayed on the display unit 310 is changed to a desired value.

That is, after the user rotates the manipulation unit 300 until the set value of the menu displayed on the display unit 310 is changed to a desired value, the user may stop the rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

Of course, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to change the set value of the menu, the user must hold the periphery of the side of the manipulation unit 300 (ie, the input units 320 ) with three fingers.

That is, the user may rotate the manipulation unit 300 while holding the input units 320 with three fingers in order to change the set value of the menu.

On the other hand, the user can use the manipulation unit 300 to change the set value of the menu without selecting the clothes treatment course of the method described in (a) of FIG. 3 and without selecting the menu of the method described in FIG. 3 (b). ), the input units 320 disposed along the periphery of the side surface may be gripped or touched using three fingers.

In this case, the laundry treatment course may be set as a standard course, and an item for setting washing intensity among a plurality of menus accompanying the standard course may be activated on the display unit 310 .

In addition, after completing the settings according to (a) to (c) of FIG. 3 , the user inputs a driving command to a driving command input unit (not shown) provided in the laundry treatment apparatus 10 to provide the laundry treatment apparatus (10) can be driven.

In this case, the driving command input unit (not shown) may be provided on the front surface of the manipulation unit 300 , or the manipulation unit 300 may be separately provided in the cabinet 100 .

It has been described that the number of signals input to the input unit 320 may be changed by the user's finger touching the input unit 320 through (a) to (c) of FIG. 3 , and 2, 3 or The display unit 310 that is changed when four or more fingers touch the input unit 320 has been described.

However, it is obvious that items activated on the display unit 310 as two, three, or four or more fingers touch the input unit 320 are exemplary and may be applied differently depending on a user's setting or product.

On the other hand, the laundry treatment apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed so that power can be input to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 through a sensor provided in the manipulation unit 300 . and (b), a configuration for inputting power to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 will be described in detail.

Figure 4 (a) is a front cross-sectional view of the operation unit shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 (b) is a side cross-sectional view of the operation unit shown in Fig. 2 .

Referring to (a) and (b) of Figure 4, the front cross-section (ie, cross-section) of the manipulation unit 300 may be formed in a circular shape.

In addition, the manipulation unit 300 may further include a plurality of sensors 330 spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals along the periphery of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 .

At this time, when a signal is detected by at least one sensor 330 among the plurality of sensors 330 , the controller 500 controls the power input unit of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 to turn on the power of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 . (not shown) can be controlled.

That is, when a signal is detected by one or more sensors 330 among the plurality of sensors 300 for a predetermined time or longer, the power of the clothes treatment apparatus 10 may be turned on.

In this case, the plurality of sensors 330 may be provided below the input units 320 disposed along the side circumference of the manipulation unit 300 .

Specifically, the plurality of sensors 330 may be provided at positions corresponding to positions of the plurality of input units 320 , respectively.

For example, a diameter of a circle formed by the arrangement of the plurality of sensors is preferably smaller than a diameter of a circle formed by the arrangement of the plurality of input units 320 .

In addition, the plurality of sensors 330 is preferably a piezoelectric sensor that converts externally applied pressure into an electrical signal.

More specifically, a plurality of input units 320 formed of a touch panel are disposed on the outermost periphery of the manipulation unit 300 having a circular cross-section, and the input units 320 are radially inside the input units 320. A plurality of sensors 330 may be disposed spaced apart from the 320 by a predetermined interval.

In this case, the radially inner side of the input units 320 and the radially outer side of the sensors 300 may be disposed to contact each other. This is because the sensors 300 are piezoelectric sensors, and are formed to generate signals only with respect to a force (or pressure) of a predetermined strength or more applied from the outside.

In addition, the plurality of sensors 330 may be installed on the circuit board 340 connected to the controller 500 .

In this case, the circuit board 340 provided in the manipulation unit 300 may be provided radially inside the plurality of sensors 330 .

In the illustrated embodiment, one circuit board 340 is formed in the circuit board 340 in the form of a circular closed curve, but a plurality of circuit boards 340 corresponding to each of the plurality of sensors 330 are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. It is also possible to be spaced apart from each other. In this case, each circuit board 340 may be respectively connected to the controller 500 .

Accordingly, when the circumference of the side of the manipulation unit 300 is pressed with a predetermined force by the user's finger, a signal may be input to the sensor 330 of the pressed portion.

Also, when the signal input to the sensor 330 continues for a predetermined time, the controller 500 may control the clothes treating apparatus 10 to supply power to the clothes treating apparatus 10 .

Of course, when the signal input to the sensor 330 continues for a predetermined time while power is supplied to the clothes treatment apparatus 10 , the controller 500 controls the laundry treatment apparatus 10 to turn off the power to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 . The device 10 may be controlled.

As described above, the user can easily turn on or off the laundry treatment apparatus 10 by pressing the circumference of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 for a predetermined time.

In addition, since there is no need to provide a separate power input unit or button for inputting power to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 on the outer surface of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 (ie, the outer surface of the cabinet 100 ), the laundry treatment apparatus ( 10) can look neat and simple.

Hereinafter, a connection relationship between the manipulation unit 300 , the control unit 500 , and the display unit 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 .

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a connection relationship between the manipulation unit shown in FIG. 2 and a display unit and a control unit provided in the laundry treatment apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the control unit 500 may be configured to control the manipulation unit 300 , the display unit 310 , and the driving devices 600 .

Specifically, the controller 500 may control the display unit 310 to activate different items on the display unit 310 based on a signal input through the input unit 320 .

Also, the controller 500 may control the power input unit 700 to turn on or off the power input unit 700 provided in the laundry treatment apparatus 10 based on a signal detected by the sensor 330 .

That is, as described above, when the signal sensed by the sensor 330 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the power input unit 700 of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 is turned on or off to drive the laundry treatment apparatus 10 . or the operation of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 may be stopped.

Meanwhile, the controller 500 may control the driving devices 600 provided in the laundry treatment apparatus 10 .

For example, the driving devices 600 may include a water supply device, a drainage device, and a motor for rotating the drum 400 (not shown).

Through the control unit 500 , it is possible to control the laundry treatment apparatus 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 .

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 . In describing the method of controlling the laundry treatment apparatus, the configuration of the laundry treatment apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 may be equally applied to the method of controlling the laundry treatment apparatus.

6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the method of controlling the laundry treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a power input step ( S100 ) of turning on the power of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 , and a display unit 310 provided in the laundry treatment apparatus 10 . ) is turned on to display driving information of the laundry treatment apparatus on the display unit 310 ( S200 ), and a signal is transmitted through the plurality of input units 320 provided in the operation unit 300 of the laundry treatment apparatus 10 . A signal input step (S300) to be input, a first signal number determination step (S400) for determining the number of signals input through the plurality of input units 320, and a signal simultaneously input through the input unit 320 An activation step (S400) in which one of an item for selecting a clothes treatment course, an item for selecting a menu accompanying the clothes treatment course, and an item for setting the menu based on the number is activated on the display unit 310 (S400) includes

In the power input step S100 , power may be input to the clothes treatment apparatus 10 by sensing signals through the plurality of sensors 330 provided in the manipulation unit 300 .

In this case, the plurality of sensors 330 may be piezoelectric sensors provided along the circumferential direction of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 , and at least one sensor 330 of the plurality of sensors 330 is activated by the user's finger. When the pressure is applied for a predetermined time or longer, the laundry treatment apparatus 10 may be turned on.

That is, when one or more of the plurality of sensors 330 is pressed by the user's finger for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 500 controls the clothes processing apparatus 10 to supply power to the clothes processing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 5 . The illustrated power input unit 700 may be controlled.

Also, when power is input to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 , the display unit 310 provided in the laundry treatment apparatus 10 may be turned on through the display step S200 .

In this case, information on the standard course and information on preset menus accompanying the standard course may be basically displayed on the display unit 310 .

In addition, in the signal input step S300 , the user may input a signal to the clothes processing apparatus 10 by gripping the manipulation unit 300 using a finger.

Specifically, the user may input a signal to the clothes treatment apparatus 10 by gripping or touching the circumference of the side surface of the manipulation unit 300 with a finger. And the signal input by the user may be transmitted to the control unit 500 .

In this case, what is transmitted to the control unit 500 may be the number of the user's fingers simultaneously touched on the plurality of input units 320 (ie, the number of signals simultaneously input through the plurality of input units 320 ).

Also, in the first signal number determination step S400 , the control unit 500 determines the number of signals input through the plurality of input units 320 .

And, in the activation step (S500), based on the number of signals determined in the first signal number determination step (S400), an item for selecting a clothing treatment course, an item for selecting a menu accompanying the clothing treatment course, and The control unit 500 controls the display unit 310 so that one of the items for setting the menu is activated on the display unit 310 .

Since the meaning of “activation” has been described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the activation step S500 may include a course selection step S510 , a menu selection step S520 , and a menu setting step S530 .

For example, if it is determined in the first signal number determination step S400 that there are four or more signals input through the plurality of input units 320 , an item for selecting a clothing treatment course in the activation step S500 It may be activated on the display unit 310 .

That is, when it is determined in the first signal number determination step S400 that there are four or more signals input through the plurality of input units 320, course selection for selecting one course from among the plurality of clothes treatment courses It may proceed to step S510.

In this case, the user may select one desired course from among a plurality of clothes treatment courses through rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

Of course, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to select a desired clothes treatment course, the user must rotate the manipulation unit 300 while four or more signals are input to the plurality of input units 320 .

That is, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to select a desired clothes treatment course, the user must rotate the manipulation unit 300 while holding or touching the input units 320 with four or more fingers.

In addition, when it is determined in the first signal number determination step S400 that there are two signals input through the plurality of input units 320 , an item for menu selection in the activation step S500 is displayed on the display unit 310 . can be activated.

That is, when it is determined in the first signal number determination step S400 that there are two signals input through the plurality of input units 320, a menu selection step S520 in which one of the plurality of menus can be selected. ) can proceed.

In this case, in the menu selection step ( S520 ), the user may select one desired menu from among a plurality of menus through rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

Of course, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to select a desired menu, the user must rotate the manipulation unit 300 while two signals are input to the plurality of input units 320 .

That is, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to select a desired menu, the user must rotate the manipulation unit 300 while holding or touching the input units 320 with two fingers.

In addition, when it is determined in the first signal number determination step S400 that there are three signals input through the plurality of input units 320 , an item for menu setting is displayed on the display unit 310 in the activation step S500 . can be activated.

That is, if it is determined in the first signal number determination step S400 that there are three signals input through the plurality of input units 320, the menu may proceed to a menu setting step S530 in which the set value of the menu can be changed. have.

In this case, in the menu setting step ( S520 ), the user may change the set value of the menu through the rotation of the manipulation unit 300 .

Of course, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to change the set value of the menu to a desired value, the user must rotate the manipulation unit 300 in a state where three signals are input to the plurality of input units 320 . do.

That is, when rotating the manipulation unit 300 to change a desired menu setting value, the user must rotate the manipulation unit 300 while holding or touching the input units 320 with three fingers.

Meanwhile, according to the number of signals input to the input unit 320 , the menu selection step S520 may proceed without going through the course selection step S510 . In this case, it is considered that the standard course is selected for the laundry treatment course, and the laundry treatment apparatus 10 may be driven.

Also, depending on the number of signals input to the input unit 320 , the menu setting step S530 may be performed without going through the course selection step S510 and the menu selection step S520 . In this case, it is considered that the standard course is selected for the clothes treatment course, and the preset value of the menu setting value according to the fraud standard course may be displayed on the display unit 310 .

In addition, after at least one of course selection, menu selection, and menu setting value change is performed in the activation step S500, the clothes treatment apparatus ( 10) can be driven.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 , specific steps that may be included between the course selection step S510 and the execution step S600 and the menu selection step S520 and the execution step S600 may be further included. Describe the specific steps involved.

7 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the laundry treatment apparatus that may be further included between the course selection step and the execution step in FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , in the method of controlling a clothes processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, after a desired course is selected in the course selection step S510 described with reference to FIG. 6 , the signal inputted through the plurality of input units 320 is The method may further include a second signal number determination step (S511) of re-determining the number.

In the second signal number determination step S511 , if there are still four or more signals input through the plurality of input units 320 , the process proceeds to a course selection step S510 for selecting a clothing treatment course again.

However, in the second signal number determination step S511, if it is determined that there are two signals input through the plurality of input units 320, the menu selection step S512 for selecting a desired menu to change the setting value. can proceed.

In addition, when it is determined that there are three signals input through the plurality of input units 320 in the second signal number determination step S511, the menu may proceed to a menu setting step S513 in which the setting value of the menu can be changed. have.

In this case, when the menu setting step ( S513 ) is performed without selecting a menu for which a setting value change is desired, the display unit 310 may be controlled by the controller 500 to change the washing intensity among a plurality of menus.

Meanwhile, since the menu selection method in the menu selection step S512 and the menu setting method in the menu setting step S513 are the same as described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the laundry treatment apparatus that may be further included between the menu selection step and the execution step in FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , in the method of controlling the clothes processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, after a menu for which a setting change is desired is selected in the menu selection step S520 described with reference to FIG. 6 , the plurality of input units 320 The method may further include a third signal number determination step (S521) of re-determining the number of input signals.

In the third signal count determination step S521 , if there are still two signals input through the plurality of input units 320 , the process proceeds to a menu selection step S520 in which a menu can be selected again.

However, if it is determined in the third signal number determination step S511 that the number of signals input through the plurality of input units 320 is four or more, a course selection step S522 for selecting a desired course from among a plurality of clothes treatment courses ) can be repeated.

This is because, while the user selects a menu to change the set value of the menu, the user can change the clothes treatment course again.

In addition, when it is determined that there are three signals input through the plurality of input units 320 in the third signal number determination step S521, the menu may proceed to a menu setting step S523 for changing the set value of the menu. have.

In this case, the set values of the plurality of menus displayed on the display unit 310 may be preset set values according to the course selected by the user (if not selected, the standard course).

Meanwhile, since the method of selecting a course in the course selection step S522 and the menu setting method in the menu setting step S513 are the same as those described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Also, features related to the control method of the laundry treatment apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 may be equally applied to the laundry treatment apparatus 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .

100 cabinet 200 door
300 Control panel 310 Display
320 input 330 sensor
340 circuit board 400 drum
500 control unit 600 drive unit

Claims (13)

cabinets that form the facade;
a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet and accommodating the object to be treated;
a display unit provided in the cabinet and displaying driving information;
a rotary knob-type operation unit rotatably provided in the cabinet;
a plurality of input units provided around the side surface of the manipulation unit and provided to individually receive signals based on the number of fingers according to the user's finger grips; and
a control unit for controlling at least a portion of the display unit, the manipulation unit, and the plurality of input units;
When a signal is simultaneously input to two or more input units among the plurality of input units according to the user's grip of the manipulation unit, the control unit generates driving information corresponding to the number of simultaneously input signals based on the number of simultaneously input signals. A laundry treatment apparatus controlling the display unit to be activated on the display unit. The method of claim 1,
and the driving information includes an item for selecting a clothes treatment course, an item for selecting a menu accompanying the clothes treatment course, and an item for setting the menu. The method of claim 1,
and the control unit controls the display unit and the manipulation unit to select or set driving information activated on the display unit when the manipulation unit is rotated while the number of simultaneously input signals is maintained. The method of claim 1,
and the display unit is located inside the manipulation unit. The method of claim 1,
The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of input units are disposed along a circumference of the manipulation unit. The method of claim 1,
The plurality of input units is a laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that provided with a touch panel. 6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a plurality of sensors disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the manipulation unit,
and when a signal lasting for a predetermined time or longer is sensed by one or more of the plurality of sensors, the power of the clothes processing apparatus is turned on or off. 8. The method of claim 7,
The plurality of sensors are located closer to the center of the manipulation unit than the plurality of input units. 8. The method of claim 7,
and the plurality of sensors are piezoelectric sensors for sensing external pressure. 6. The method of claim 5,
A width in a circumferential direction of the manipulation unit of the input unit is longer than 1 cm and shorter than 1.5 cm. A cabinet forming an exterior, a drum rotatably installed inside the cabinet and accommodating a processing object, a display unit provided in the cabinet and displaying driving information, and a rotary knob rotatably provided in the cabinet A method for controlling a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a manipulation unit; a plurality of input units provided around a side surface of the manipulation unit to individually receive signals based on the number of fingers held by a user;
a signal input step of simultaneously inputting signals through two or more input units among the plurality of input units according to the user's grip of the manipulation unit;
a signal number determination step of determining the number of simultaneously input signals;
and an activation step in which driving information corresponding to the determined number of signals is activated on the display unit based on the number of signals determined in the signal number determination step. 12. The method of claim 11,
The method of claim 1, wherein the driving information includes an item for selecting a clothes treatment course, an item for selecting a menu accompanying the clothes treatment course, and an item for setting the menu. 12. The method of claim 11,
In the activation step, when the manipulation unit is rotated while the number of signals determined in the signal number determination step is maintained, driving information activated on the display unit is selected or set.

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